A MAN whose life was flipped upside down by a brain haemorrhage is raising awareness about sensory impairments.

Wayne Crow, from Braintree, shrugged off his headache and convinced himself he was fine.

When doctors told the 50-year-old vehicle bodywork expert he had suffered a brain haemorrhage his world changed.

Mr Crow, who now suffers from tunnel vision and hearing loss, as well as restricted movement and memory issues, was forced to shut down his vehicle bodywork company.

However, he considers himself lucky to be alive.

Mr Crow said: “It began initially with just a headache and feeling a bit sick, but I thought I was fine really.

“I don’t really remember anything after that.”

The married father-of-two was rushed to Broomfield Hospital 14 months ago before being blue-lighted to Queens Hospital in Romford for emergency treatment.

He said: “I had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and my whole world changed instantly, I spent three months in intensive care.

"Amazingly, with daily rehabilitation, I was able to eventually return home, but I soon became very isolated as I was stuck in the house all day.

“I lost all my independence but I wasn’t prepared to go and get help. I was fiercely independent and convinced I could do it on my own, but I soon realised I couldn’t."

He contacted ECL Sensory Service commissioned by Essex County Council and was introduced to Peter Nutland, a vision rehabilitation worker, who got him of the house for the first time.

He said: “Without Peter I would still be stuck indoors now. I've been through some very dark times, so I’m just grateful for the lifeline ECL have given me.

“Yes, every day is a challenge but I’m alive at least and have plenty to live for still.”

Just over a year since a radical shake-up of the service, experts from the Royal National Institute of Blind People are hailing the county’s new model as a measure of excellence.

The new service, commissioned until July 2018, delivers advice, emotional support and practical help.

Anne Brown, councillor responsible for Corporate, Communities and Customers, wore special glasses which simulated severe sight impairment.

She said: “I found it humbling to step into the shoes of someone with a visual impairment.

“It was very difficult navigating around and things that many of us take for granted, like climbing stairs or crossing the road, required a lot of concentration.

“I’m delighted this new service has been such a success.”

Visit www.eclsensoryservice.org.